On July 24, 2024, Peco Foods, Inc. formally reported a data breach to the Attorney General of Maine after discovering that an unauthorized party had accessed parts of its IT network. The breach allowed this external party to potentially view sensitive consumer information. Following the breach, Peco Foods took immediate steps to secure its systems and launched a thorough investigation into the incident.
The initial findings from Peco Foods’s investigation revealed that the breach began around December 4, 2023. The company was targeted by a cyberattack that compromised the functionality of its computer system. To address the situation, Peco Foods implemented measures to secure its network and enlisted the help of external cybersecurity experts to understand and manage the breach effectively.
By May 23, 2024, Peco Foods had completed a comprehensive review of the affected files to identify the compromised data and the individuals impacted. They began sending out data breach notification letters to those affected by the incident on July 24, 2024. Although the general breach notice did not specify the exact types of compromised data, the personalized letters sent to victims detailed the specific information that was accessed.
Peco Foods, based in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, has been a significant player in the poultry industry since its founding in 1937. It is one of the largest poultry producers in the United States, operating multiple facilities across Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas. The company employs over 6,300 people and generates approximately $3.5 billion in annual revenue, making it a major contributor to the poultry market.
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